Defining epitope coverage requirements for T cell-based HIV vaccines: theoretical considerations and practical applications.

ABSTRACT:

Background

HIV vaccine development must address the genetic diversity and plasticity of the virus that permits the presentation of diverse genetic forms to the immune system and subsequent escape from immune pressure. Assessment of potential HIV strain coverage by candidate T cell-based vaccines (whether natural sequence or computationally optimized products) is now a critical component in interpreting candidate vaccine suitability.

Methods

We have utilized an N-mer identity algorithm to represent T cell epitopes and explore potential coverage of the global HIV pandemic using natural sequences derived from candidate HIV vaccines. Breadth (the number of T cell epitopes generated) and depth (the variant coverage within a T cell epitope) analyses have been incorporated into the

SUBMITTER: Currier JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3284408 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature